The history of the accumulation of geological knowledge from ancient times to the end of the 18th century is considered - the so-called pre-scientific period of development, when geology stood out from general natural science into independent science. The book tells about geological observations and generalizations of Leonardo da Vinci, Nikolai Steno and others, the first ideas about the evolution of the Earth and the formation of its structure. Particular attention is paid to the first scientific expeditions in Russia.